xtratime Logo

[caption id="attachment_42492" align="aligncenter" width="580"] KKR coach Jacques Kallis at the post match press-conference on Saturday. Image Source: BCCI[/caption] Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders coach Jacques Kallis has blamed his bowlers for failing to defend the total against Gujarat Lions in an Indian Premier League match at Eden Gardens. The Lions led by Suresh Raina chased down 187/5 with 10 balls to spare. The former Proteas all-rounder and presently the Head Coach of the purple army said, “We knew they would come out firing. They are a dangerous side with dangerous players. They batted really well under pressure, chasing that total down. But I still feel we could have defended that total we got. It was certainly not one of our best bowling performances. We picked up a few wickets after the rain break. But chasing a total you have got to be aggressive. They managed to get a couple of partnerships going.” The home side made a great start batting first, thanks to some clean hitting from stop-gap opener Sunil Narine. The mystery spinner scored blazed his way to 42 runs off only 17 balls. The Knights lost its way towards the death overs due to some controlled bowling from the GL bowlers. “Yes, we would have liked to get 200, especially after the start we had. But I must say that they bowled well, especially in the last five overs… The yorkers fell into place and they kept it tight. All that made it tough for us. So yes, it was disappointing that we didn’t get those 10-15 runs more,” said Kallis after the loss yesterday. The two times champions will be up against a rampaging Chris Gayle and a power packed RCB batting line up. On being asked whether the loss against the Lions would have any bearing on his side ahead of the clash against Royal Challengers, Kallis said, “We have to recover tomorrow and be up for the RCB on Sunday. They are a dangerous side as well. Have to be at our best.” Lastly, the Knight Riders coach admitted they lost to the brilliance of Suresh Raina. In spite of the wickets falling at the other end, the Gujarat Lions captain played a gem of a knock, scoring 84 runs off 46 balls that included 9 fours and 4 sixes. “Every player has got his place. Some can rotate strike, some can hit big. Raina is a good all-round player. I don’t think we bowled as well to him as we could have done and should have done. When good players get off to a good start, it’s difficult to contain them. Raina played really well to hold the innings together,” signed off Kallis.